Dear 2018 ADHS Marching Band member and parent,

I just wanted to take a moment to WELCOME you to the 2018 Athens Drive High School Marching Band!  For those of you new to our organization, I   want to CONGRATULATE you on making such a wonderful decision.  The Marching Band is the LARGEST organized group at Athens Drive and its #1 ambassador.  Most importantly, the Marching Band is an absolutely awesome FAMILY of musicians who share a passion for visual and musical performance.

I have attached our current roster and our summer/fall schedule, which is the same schedule that was released a few weeks ago.  Please contact the band office ASAP if there is a serious conflict with any of these dates!  As for the roster, please make sure that 1) you are listed on the correct instrument, 2) that your name is spelled correctly and is presented in the manner that you prefer it, and 3) that your grade level is accurate.

During the next several weeks the staff will be busy preparing for our upcoming season.  We will be charting choreography, writing music, ordering equipment, and planning performances.  It is hoped that you will enjoy this time to relax and recharge.  If possible, try to maintain your “chops” by practicing regularly.  For students who need a school instrument, our section leaders will be contacting you to arrange delivery/pick-up.  Summer is also an excellent time to take private lessons in order to make greater progress on everything from tone production to music reading.

I can promise you that the BEST EXPERIENCE OF YOUR LIFE is just around the corner.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions; I try to stay current with email and will be in-and-out of school fairly regularly over the next 6 weeks.  We look forward to seeing all of you late July!

“Doc”

Several important P.S. –

1     We can still accept students into our marching band until Tuesday, June 12th when we must formally send our numbers to our choreographer.

2      Based on the roster from last year, we are missing intent forms from the following students:  Sydney Richmond, Fiona Wright, Robin Lee, Johnny Brian, Daniel Carter, Heather Meza, Kira Williams, Sumaya Bedreddine, Emmanuel Kutsu, Erin Clark.  I will try to contact you individually as I want to make sure that your intentions are understood.

I would like to march an 8th sousaphone (tuba)!  Would someone be willing to play/march this instrument this fall?  Don’t be shy!  It is SO FUN to play the tuba!  Just think of the glory of carrying the LARGEST instrument in the band!  My whole life fell into place when I switched to the sousaphone… I became band captain, grew stronger, and most importantly met the girl who later became my wife!  No promises that the same will happen to you, but just sayin’…

4      I do not have the information for the 13th student in our marching battery (he was listed on the percussion roster as “Oli.”)  Please register or clarify!

5      I would like the family of Dineya Bullock to contact me (via email is best) so that we can discuss a position for you!